Summary: The Unaccompanied Minors Program protects the rights of young immigrants to make informed decisions about their lives. The Migration Counselor serves unaccompanied immigrant minors who are detained by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in juvenile facilities in the Lower Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City. The position includes extensive contact with youth, including youth who have suffered abuse, abandonment, neglect, or other trauma. It requires significant time meeting with detained minors at the ORR facilities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Under attorney supervision, prepare, review, complete, submit, and follow up on applications in routine types of immigration matters, including but not limited to: basic consultations, applications for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, asylum, U and T visas, adjustment of status applications, employment authorization applications, green card replacement applications, etc.
- Under attorney supervision, prepare and serve motions before immigration and family courts and respond to requests for evidence, notices of intent to deny, and other correspondence from USCIS.
- Translate from Spanish to English evidentiary materials, including civil registry documents, newspaper articles, and other Spanish-language documents. Interpret at asylum offices and client meetings as needed.
- Create and maintain physical and electronic files, including managing correspondence with clients and documenting correspondence with immigration and other agencies.
- Manage data entry in the LawLogix data management system and assist with generating reports and statistical data as required.
- Assist in administrative and other special projects, as assigned.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are generally 9:00 AM to 5 PM Monday – Friday.
Working conditions and physical demands required:
The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Remain stationary at a work station and/or use a computer at least 50% of the time.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment, including photocopier, fax, scanner, postage machine and printer.
- Ability to use and respond to phone calls and emails.
- Ability to transport/lift and file documents in cabinets.
- Ability to escort clients needing assistance to appointments, schools, and courts.
- Travel to meetings and appointments using public transportation or vehicle; traverse city streets; occasionally ascend/descend stairs, and be exposed to outside weather conditions.
- Carry a laptop to off-site work locations.
Qualifications
Education and/or experience required:
- Graduation from accredited college/university, or equivalent professional training related to the position.
- Previous experience in immigration law and procedures a plus.
Skills, Licenses, and/or competencies required:
- Fluency in written and oral Spanish.
- Effective communication skills, including written and verbal.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
- Previous experience in immigration law and procedures preferred.
- Ability and experience working with diverse individuals and communities preferred.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high intensity environment.
- Commitment to public interest work and/or children’s issues, and ability to work with children.
- Comprehensive knowledge of software appropriate to the office environment, including Microsoft Office.
- Ability to travel throughout Archdiocese and Long Island.
COVID-19 Adjustment: Position will be onboarded virtually. Potential to orient to the physical office space in person depending on CDC and agency requirements at the time of onboarding. Updates to protocol are implemented on a regular basis. Catholic Charities and Catholic Charities Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.